Because You're Mine

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Spider

His woman, yes, she was his, was in the shower when he left, and he made sure she was safe by checking the doors and windows, again. Setting the alarm, he engaged it remotely from outside his front door. Listening for the beep before he strode away.

He knew that somewhere in the dark a brother was on watch and it made walking away to do his job easier.

The officers and lieutenants were in Orca’s office and it made for a very cramped situation. They weren’t the only ones in attendance. Dom, Gideon, Hawk and Sergei were on the big screen.

Dom, Gideon and Hawk he understood. But the fucking Bratva?

What the hell was going on?

“Now that we’re all here, let’s begin.” Dom said quietly.

It meant he was in charge of this meet.

“For a few months now we’ve all been plagued by minor and not so minor mishaps in our businesses. All of us have experienced attempts to infiltrate certain sectors of our businesses. Those sectors being the shipping and transportation arms of our groups. There have been attempts to sabotage IDMC shipments, and cargo and cargo carriers have been interfered with. There have been several attempts to highjack the Syndicate’s international cargo. The Bratva experienced similar problems. It’s a concentrated effort to first destabilise and then take us over. We now know who is spearheading the attack against us. They call themselves The Foundation. They’re a global criminal organisation with several income streams. Their money comes from money laundering, narcotics, trafficking and arms dealing. They finance terror groups as well.” He looked down as if at notes.

“You should ask yourselves the following. If they’re global why the hell are they interested in us and those connected to us? The answer is simple. We destroyed the Harrisons and now Africa is wide open, or so they think. They look at Africa and see it as an easy grab. Easy because they don’t credit us with the backbone to stand up against a global criminal entity. They want it because it is a place where they could hide a multitude of sins. They have already learned how easy it is to find criminals, businessmen and politicians eager to handle their business interests for them. They want to destroy us but if they do they’d lose the connections we’ve made over the years we’ve been running the underbelly of this part of the world. It became even more attractive to them when the Bratva, through Sergei, joined forces with us.”

He leant closer to the camera.

“They don’t want to lose our connections which means they can’t destroy our organisations, they have to use other means. What are those other means? Infiltration of our groups by those loyal to The Foundation. Once in positions of power, or close to those in power, they eliminate them and step into the vacuum left behind. The Iron Dogz in Cape Town have already had an attempt at a take-over and thwarted it. In my own organisation we’ve been cleaning out pockets of undesirables over the last week. Sergei is about to do a major clean up in Russia.”

Sergei nodded while Hawk sat silently, his big arms crossed over his chest. By the golden yellow colour of his cousin’s eyes he knew he was very close to losing it. The Joburg chapter had gone through hell not too long ago. The club had fought the Harrisons and had lost loved ones during the long fight before they finally had peace.

Now these fucking cockroaches were crawling out of the woodwork, wanting to upset their hard won peace.

Not going to happen.

“Today I received a warning that we are under investigation by the International Crime Investigations unit, also known as ICI. They aren’t Interpol agents, but they are linked to them and other international and national law enforcement agencies. I suspect The Foundation deliberately left evidence that lead the crime investigators to our doorsteps. I have my people following leads to find the identities of the investigators. When we have it I will share it with you.”

Kid spoke up. “Do you have any ideas who they might be?”

“We do, but we don’t want to speculate and focus on what could be the wrong person or persons.” Gideon answered Kid’s question. “Those of you who are single should be careful of anyone new to your circle. They might target you as a way into your inner circle.”

There were mutters all around from the single brothers.

None of them were happy.

No one wanted to be inside a bitch who will eventually slap cuffs around your wrists. And not in a good way.

“What we should be doing is deep background checks on all fairly new hires in our companies. The same with the hangarounds, prospects and new patches at our clubs.” Orca held up a hand asking for silence before anyone could object.

“I’m aware we’ve done those checks but it should be done again. We can’t afford to miss something that’s going to have brothers sitting behind bars for the rest of their lives.”

Spider had to jump in before fingers started pointing at Vee.

“Vanessa Monroe has been checked and double checked. She’s definitely not involved in any investigations unit. She is exactly who she says she is. A children’s nanny.”

Fish backed him up.

“Spider is correct. Her background is wide open and I checked on her parents as well, just to be sure. They’ve been connected to the SWMC since before she was born. There’s nothing of concern in her background.”

His cousin cleared his throat and instantly had everyone’s attention.

“I know to some it might sound like we’re on a witch hunt but that’s not what this is.” Hawk said very quietly. “The Harrisons took years and lives from us. They infiltrated to the highest level and very nearly destroyed the club. We can’t allow it to happen again, therefore, I’ll be sending out a club wide directive to the presidents and VP’s. All those who came to the club in the last year will be investigated, again. The investigation will be wider than ever before, it will include their families and friends. I don’t care if they’re girlfriends, old ladies, hangarounds, club sluts, employees at our businesses, prospects or new patches, they will be investigated. The quicker we eliminate people from the list the quicker we can focus on those we have not.”

Silence hung in the room for a few seconds.

For the first time Sergei Orlov spoke up.

“I have infiltrators in my ranks too, I know this for a fact. The Demidovs have spies everywhere. There are going to be repercussions to some of our businesses once I start eliminating my enemies, it’s unfortunately inevitable. Be assured those I remove will be replaced by men I trust who will eventually ensure we go back to business as usual. Once it’s safe to resume business we will do so.”

“We wish you luck, Sergei, you and your men watch your backs. The ICI might have infiltrated the Demidovs, be sure you don’t eliminate cops along with criminals.” Dom warned.

Sergei smiled and shook his head as if he found Dom amusing but didn’t say a word.

Spider raised a hand and eyes turned to him.

“If ICI already has investigators on the ground here and in Russia shouldn’t you at least tells us who you suspect? Wouldn’t more eyes on the problem help to solve it quicker?” He asked while looking at Dom.

Dom rubbed a hand over his eyes before he nodded.

“The warning about the ICI investigation came from a source I trust but can’t reveal. It would compromise the agent should it come to light that he’s given us a heads up.”

Kid spoke up. “So, you have an idea who they might be.”

“We do, but we don’t want to focus on what could be the wrong person or persons.” Gideon answered Kid’s question.

“You need to give us something to go on. You can’t drop that shit out here and expect us to react rationally around any new comers to the club.” Blaze snarled angrily.

Sly’s hand suddenly shot up. “I have an idea. Why don’t we set one or more of the single brothers up with these suspected agents and see what happens? If they aren’t ICI agents nothing will happen. If they are, they’ll pump the brothers for information and we’ll be able to head them off. No information, therefore no infiltration.”

“That’s a great idea.” Orca instantly agreed as did Hawk and Sergei.

Dom and Gideon stayed suspiciously quiet.

Kid pointed his finger at the men on the screen. “I hope I’m wrong, but, the two of you not agreeing with the idea or instantly shooting it down is rather concerning. To my mind it means we know these agents, they’ve been here before and have been involved in our shit. Who are they, Dom?”

Dom coldly stared out at them for several seconds before he nodded.

“I actually think Sly’s idea might work. The agents in question have indeed been here before. One of them infiltrated the Harrison organisation and in doing so infiltrated my inner circle as well. The other infiltrated the Dogz here in Cape Town. My informant tells me she’s going after the same target as before. Her orders are to bring in proof the club is involved in arms dealing and narcotics. She’ll want to get her hands on your books, both legal and not so legal.” He looked at Spider. “She’ll be targeting you, Spider.”

Shaking his head he gave a derisive laugh.

“I have never, in Joburg and now here, shared club business with whoever I happened to fuck. If this bitch targeted me once before I know for a fact she got nothing.” He grinned and shrugged. “Except my cock, maybe.”

“You won’t find it laughable when you hear who she is.” Gideon said coldly. “She fooled more than just you, she fooled people we care about.”

“If that is so then tell me. Tell me so I can be on the lookout for her and avoid her like the fucking plague.” Spider snarled.

Gideon looked at Dom and he gave a slight nod. His eyes then came straight back to Spider.

“She goes by the name of Dalia Mitchellson, and usually poses as an accountant. It’s an alias she’s been using for some time now.” Gideon drew in a breath. “Her other alias isn’t in the financial sector, it’s in the surfing community. She goes by the name of Strange and travels the circuit as her cover, infiltrating organisations through the men she seduces.”

As he listened ice slithered down Spider’s back.

“You’re telling me that Strange, the woman I brought into our clubhouse, a woman I thought might become someone important to me, wasn’t real. That she got close and used me to get information on my club. Is that what you’re saying?”

Gideon nodded. “Yes. She befriended Kellen and through him got to me and to you. Don’t feel too bad, because like you, I never suspected a fucking thing.”

Spider felt the ice spread, filling his chest and head.

In an instant the light that had started shining through the darkness that was his life was taken away.

There can’t be a Vee and him until this was taken care of.

“Do you think she’s going to come back and try to start up where we left off?”

He felt bile rise in his throat at the idea of being with anyone but Vee.

For the safety of his son, Vee, and the club he would have to do it.

For them he would do anything.

“I do.” Dom answered. “Soon it will be common knowledge that you’ve ended your affair with Ingrid. It’s the perfect time for her to approach you. I think you should give her the cold shoulder. Make her work for it and in doing so expose herself. She will get desperate if you keep holding her at arm’s length and make mistakes. Mistakes we can use to convince her she’s on a wild goose chase. Get her to focus elsewhere.”

Fuck. What will he tell his woman? Will he be able to tell her anything?

And if he can’t tell her why he was being a fucking asshole and running around with another woman?

Will she give him a second chance once shit has been sorted?

He knew the answer to that one – never in a fucking million years.

Blowing out a breath he shook his head and made his choice.

“There’s a problem with the plan.” He said quietly. “I’m not exactly free to play games with Strange. I’ve found someone who is important to me, and if I do this I will lose her. Unless I can tell her why it’s going to look like I’m a lying, cheating bastard.”

Stunned silence followed his revelation.

“You’ve found someone?” Hawk asked with a small smile curving his lips. His eyes not as yellow anymore.

“I have. She’s not what I expected but she’s fucking amazing.” He smiled and shrugged one shoulder.

“Who is she?” Hawk asked.

“Vanessa Monroe, my son’s nanny.” He rushed it out because he knew he was going to get hell from his brothers.

They were silent for a few and then it started. The laughter, the back slapping, the teasing and he took it. He took all of it because if it had been one of them he would have been the one doing the teasing.

“The fucking nanny!”

“He’s doing the nanny!”

“Rush’s nanny!”

Orca’s whistle settled everyone down.

“Clarify for me, son.” He looked confused. “You walked out of the clubhouse not so long ago with the blonde plastered to your side. And tonight you tell us you’ve found your old lady, and she’s none other than Vanessa Monroe.”

Spider nodded knowing his prez wasn’t done.

“Vanessa Monroe, the baby sister of Magic Monroe, a brother in the Shadow Wraiths MC. A brother who is going to want to chop your cock and nuts off, then feed them to you little bits at a time if you hurt her.”

His prez shook his head in what looked like exasperation.

“What the fuck were you thinking? Did I not say she’s protected and not to be touched? Did you not listen? And what did she have to say about you being in the blonde’s bed right up until you decided she was the one?”

Dramatically clapping a hand to his forehead he groaned.

“Jesus, this is a clusterfuck of note. The fucking SWMC is going to swarm my clubhouse and cut off my Treasurer’s dick. This is a fucking disaster.”

“Actually.” Dom interrupted. “He broke it off with Ingrid a while back. It just took her a while to accept they were done.”

“Dom is correct. I ended it with her and Vee knows exactly when it ended.” Spider threw in. “It’s no one’s fucking business but ours.”

Kid sat forward with a sly grin and a wink. “It helps that she grew up around a club. She’s less likely to freak the fuck out with the rapid change in her status. Going from being his son’s nanny to his woman in a matter of days.”

“Can we get back to the problem of Strange approaching him? I highly doubt a woman who grew up in a club will tolerate some bitch coming in and fucking with her man. Even if she understands club business and that what’s going on is fake she’s not going to take it. No woman would.”

Gideon’s words had Spider swallowing to remove the knot in his throat.

“What if I explained the problem to her?” He asked.

“Do you really think shit like that will work?” Dizzy who was frowning with disgust threw at him. “She’s a good woman who will have to watch you with the bitch who led you around by your dick once before. I don’t see good things in your future if you do this shit.”

“Jesus, Dizz, my club needs me, and I would expect my woman to understand it’s my duty to do as asked.”

He tried it out loud but it still sounded like shit in his ears. He agreed with Dizzy, if he did this his future would be fucking bleak.

Dizzy held a finger up in the air and Spider knew he was going to say shit that would force him to face the dilemma head on.

“Let’s suppose we’re on a run to an allied club, and as they do, they provide the officers with club sluts as a welcome. What do you do? Do you fuck the slut or do you tell our hosts thanks but no thanks and insult their hospitality?”

Fucking hell. He opened his mouth to answer but shut it after one look at his friend.

Dizzy was furious with him as he carried on laying it out.

“Here’s the thing. Fucking the hospitality pussy is your duty to your club as an officer. Are you going to sit there and tell me you expect your old lady to understand why you’re fucking some slut while on a run because it’s for the good of the club? I see the question before you as six of the one and half a dozen of the other. Cheat with Strange or cheat with hospitality sluts for the good of the club. To my mind they are one and the same thing.”

Spider looked at his furious brother for a few seconds then gave him his answer.

“When on a run I’ll make sure they understand I’m honoured but I’m a brother who doesn’t play away on his old lady.” He looked at Hawk. “Hawk and Ice have been turning down hospitality since claiming their old ladies.”

He shrugged. “Some clubs accept it, some don’t, and if they don’t they can go fuck themselves.”

All he could hear was the creak of chairs as brothers moved around and the scuff of boots.

No one said a word. They all looked at Dizzy. He didn’t disappoint them.

“They get away with it because they are the President and the Vice President of the club. Do you think they’ll let it slide with you?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Everyone waited for his answer. It was clear there was only one answer. Dizzy, in his roundabout way had led him right to the heart of the matter.

“The answer is no, and I hate it when you make so much fucking sense.” He grumbled at his friend.

Shaking his head he sighed.

“You’re right. If I do this for the club I’ll lose her. She won’t accept the explanation or me putting the club first.”

“Brother, no one said you had to do this.” Kid said quietly.

“I know, but if I don’t who will?” He threw out his hands in question. “I’m the one who handles the money for the club and our companies. I’m the obvious target for anyone who wants to take a look at our business and club financials.”

“Unless you’re taking a break from business to focus on winning your custody case.” Hawk said very quietly.

“What are you saying, Prez?” Spider asked.

“We throw up a blind. You’re still doing the work behind the scenes but we put a brother out there acting like he’s standing in for you while you’re handling your business. She will still come at you but you can put her straight. Tell her you’re off limits because you have an old lady.” Hawk raised his eyebrows as he waited for Spider’s response.

“Strange is exactly like her name says, she is strange. When we were together she was very possessive and downright nasty and dangerous with bitches who came too close to me. I worry that she’ll target Vee, chasing her off to leave the field open for her fucked up plans with me.”

Orca spoke up.

“Listen, we don’t have to make a final decision tonight. I think we need to take some time to think this through, we’ll gather again later this week to discuss this further. In the meantime I feel you need to be cautious, Spider. Take a step back with Nessa, focus on your boy and the case, while we do what we can to get to the bottom of this shit.” Orca’s voice was quiet and so very reasonable.

Spider didn’t feel fucking reasonable, not caring that the man was his president he slapped a hand on the arm of his chair.

“I. Am. Focused.” He bit out. “There is nothing that will make me lose focus of the custody fight for my son I have on my hands. And Vee? I knew the very first time I saw her that she was it. Taking a step back from her isn’t an option, I’m in too deep already. She’s mine and there’s no way I’m giving her up to play games with fucking Strange.”

“Easy, brother.”

Kid jumped in before Orca could hand him his ass for disrespecting him.

“For those of you who haven’t grown up with the Walkers like I have, the way our brother spoke to his prez might seem disrespectful. It wasn’t. It’s just the way Bulldog raised us boys, he always wanted to know what we were thinking, even when we were pissed at him. My brother is pissed at our prez and is letting him know it, as respectfully as he’s able under the circumstances.”

He turned to Orca. “Prez, he’s not going to back off his woman and he won’t be losing focus of his son. If there’s one brother who is able to take on multiple tasks and still focus, it’s Spider. The fucker is weird like that.”

He turned back to Spider.

“Brother, our prez’s idea is a good one, we should give the problem some thought and later in the week come back with suggestions on how to solve it. And being cautious is not a bad idea, I’m not saying with your woman, but with Strange. You have to keep an eye out for her. We don’t know her plans or what she’s willing to do to get close to you.”

Chills ran up his spine, and the man who had been tempered in the fires of the war against the Harrisons came to the fore. He was a man who had killed and was willing to do so again.

“If she so much as harms a hair on my woman’s head she will disappear never to be seen again.” Spider said quietly.

There was a stunned silence, not from Hawk, he gave an agreeing grunt.

His brothers in Cape Town have never been confronted by this side of him. There had been no need to be that man since coming here.

“Brother.” When Hawk spoke all eyes went to the screen. “Keep your eyes open, and for her safety, you need to warn your old lady. She’s club, maybe not ours, but she’s fully aware of the dangers surrounding everyone in the life. Give her the tools she needs to protect herself and by extension, you and your boy.”

He smacked a hand on his desk and his eyes changed, the man on the screen facing them was their National President.

At times he was a man you laughed with, a man you had fun with but when his eyes changed colour he became a man to be feared.

With his eyes glowing yellow Hawk Walker was a man to be feared.

“We will meet at 10pm on Wednesday night. It gives us time to come up with solutions to our problem with ICI. I will keep in contact with Orca, Kid, Dom and Sergei. We’re done here for now. Go out there, keep your eyes open and stay safe.”

With those words he disappeared off the screen.

Dom, Gideon and Sergei followed shortly after.

The dark screens were followed by total silence. No one said a word.

Orca slowly stood and groaned painfully as his joints creaked.

“I’m getting too old for this shit. With everything that’s coming for us the sooner we get the club through the change of leadership the better. It might even throw a spanner in the works of the ICI fuckers.”

He looked down at his desk, tapped it with a fist then looked around the office, meeting their eyes one man at a time.

“I’m calling a mandatory full Church for tomorrow at 12 noon. I will formally step down as President of Cape Town at that time. I’m tired, brothers, so fucking tired, my run as president has been long and not without its challenges. The time has come to hand the reins of the club over to younger men. Men who I know have the wellbeing of the club and our brothers at the core of who they are. I want you all to know that I consider you the best council a president has ever had the privilege to serve with. I’ll expect each and every one of you to support your new president, to help him lead this club the way you have helped me.”

He waved a hand at them.

“Now get the fuck out of my office. I’ll see the lot of you tomorrow at noon.”

They walked out of the office in silence.

Oh, they had known this was coming, because Orca had warned them he was retiring.

Still.

It was a shock that an era at the club was ending with him giving up the gavel.

And a new era was about to begin.

The era of Kid Knight.

A man who was going to be a completely different type of President.

Spider couldn’t fucking wait.